Lions Busy On First Day of Free Agency

DETROIT (AP) -- The Lions acquired another selection in April's draft on Friday, sending defensive end James Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth-round pick. Detroit also confirmed that it traded cornerback Dre' Bly and a sixth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for running back Tatum Bell, offensive tackle George Foster and a fifth-round pick. Hall had five sacks in seven games before an injury ended his season. The former University of Michigan standout had 33 career sacks in seven seasons with the Lions. Hall, a solid performer throughout his tenure in Detroit, had 3 1/2 sacks in a 20-17 win over the Buffalo Bills in October. The deal with the Broncos fills needs for both teams, giving Denver a Pro Bowl-caliber player to replace the late Darrent Williams and allowing Detroit to have more options in free agency and with the No. 2 pick overall in April. The Lions gave Bly, who has one year left on his contract, permission to seek a trade and added assets instead of releasing him with nothing to show for it. Also Friday, the Lions released tight end Marcus Pollard and defensive tackles Marcus Bell and Tyoka Jackson, and re-signed long snapper Don Muhlbach to a five-year contract. Pollard played 10 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before Detroit signed him as a free agent in March 2005. He started all 16 games in 2005 and had 46 receptions for 516 yards, but had just 12 catches for 100 yards last season. Bell played three seasons for Arizona before joining the Lions in March 2005. He played in 13 games last season and recorded a career-high 52 tackles before going on the injured list Dec. 18 with a hand injury. Jackson played in 15 games last season, his first in Detroit and 12th in the NFL, and had 30 tackles and two sacks. Muhlbach joined the Lions midway through the 2004 season and had a career-high seven special teams tackles in 2006.

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